Historical Fiction Books

Book SynopsisThe first book in the bestselling Conqueror series featuring Genghis Khan and his descendants.''I am the land and the bones of the hills. I am the winter.''Temujin, the second son of the khan of the Wolves tribe, was only eleven when his father died in an ambush.His family were thrown out of the tribe and left alone, without food or shelter, to starve to death on the harsh Mongolian plains.It was a rough introduction to his life, to a sudden adult world, but Temujin survived, learning to combat natural and human threats. A man, a small family, without a tribe was always at risk but he gathered other outsiders to him, creating a new tribal identity. It was during some of his worst times that the image of uniting the warring tribes and bringing the silver people together came to him. He will become the khan of the sea of grass, Genghis.Trade Review‘Iggulden is in a class of his own when it comes to epic, historical fiction’ Daily Mirror ‘Iggulden…tells an absolutely cracking story…the pace is nail-biting and the set dressing magnificent’ The Times ‘Iggulden weaves an entertaining tale of this world of men, swords, bows and the call of war and the plains’ Daily Express ‘I felt as if a blockbuster movie was unfolding before me…read the book before Hollywood takes it over’ Daily Express

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Book SynopsisWinston Graham was the author of more than forty novels, including The Walking Stick, Angell, Pearl and Little God, Stephanie and Tremor. His novels have been widely translated and his famous Poldark series has been developed into two television series shown in twenty-four countries. Many of Winston Graham's books have been filmed for the big screen, the most notable being Marnie, directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Winston Graham was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and in 1983 was awarded the OBE. He died in July 2003.Trade ReviewRoss is one of literature's great heroes . . . [with] elements of Darcy, Heathcliff, Rhett Butler and Robin Hood -- Debbie HorsfieldFrom the incomparable Winston Graham . . . who has everything that everyone else has, then a whole lot more. * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisAs the clouds of war gather over Cavendon Hall, the next generation must step forwardThe great house of Cavendon Hall has stood on the Yorkshire moors for centuries. Two families, the aristocratic Inghams and the Swanns who serve them, have been bound by loyalty since the first stone was laid.But when war looms, sons, husbands and brothers are called up to fight; trials and tragedies strike the great house itself. The women of every generation and background must rise to meet the terrible threat posed by Hitler.The Cavendon Luck has held for a long time. Can it hold in the face of this greatest threat of all and can it protect the next generation?Trade Review‘The four young women centre stage are a feistier lot than their Downton counterparts…These are likeable, well-drawn characters whose fortunes you follow with keen interest…neatly captures the brittleness of the decade that danced and stumbled towards the Great Depression.’ Daily Mail ‘Sweeping, fascinating and dramatic… there’s even a nod to Emma Harte. The power and emotion come through on every page’ Romantic Times Book Reviews Acclaim for Cavendon Hall:‘A classic saga of loyalty, secrets, passion and intrigue…if you’ve been suffering withdrawal symptoms from Downton, this is for you’ Daily Mail ‘A stately home, a dangerous secret and two families whose fates have been intertwined for generations…a gripping period piece set on the brink of the Great War. Exquisite escapism of the highest order.’ The Lady ‘A glorious family saga for Downton Abbey fans…This is Barbara Taylor Bradford in her element, full of drama, passion, romance and danger.’ Sarah Broadhurst, lovereading.co.uk

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Book SynopsisDavid Baldacci is one of the world's bestselling and favourite thriller writers. A former trial lawyer with a keen interest in world politics, he has specialist knowledge in the US political system and intelligence services. His first book, Absolute Power, became an instant international bestseller, with the movie starring Clint Eastwood a major box office hit. He has since written more than fifty bestsellers featuring, most recently, Travis Devine, Amos Decker, Aloysius Archer and Mickey Gibson. David is also the co-founder, along with his wife, of the Wish You Well Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting literacy efforts across the US.Killer twists. Heroes to believe in. Trust Baldacci.

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Book SynopsisWhether on land or at sea, can Jack Aubrey stay one step ahead of his enemies?With the Treaty of Amiens, England is at peace. At least for now. . .Accompanied by his friend, ship's surgeon and spy Stephen Maturin, Captain Jack Aubrey has returned home to England and the life of a country gentleman. But their comfortable experience is cut short when Jack is made a pauper overnight. He flees to the continent, narrowly escaping debtor's prison, only to find himself a hunted fugitive from Napoleon's regime as, yet again, war looms.Outstanding dialogue, characterisation, humour and a golden thread of romance.'KATIE FFORDEThe AubreyMaturin novels, by Patrick O'Brian, are so addictive that after I finish one I have to hide the next from myself for a little while in order to do anything else but read.'LOUISE ERDRICHTrade Review‘If O’Brian’s novels have become a cult, this is because they are truly addictive. . . They are, quite magnificently, adventure yarns whose superb authenticity never distracts from the sheer thrill of the action.’Caroline Moore, Sunday Telegraph ‘The Aubrey–Maturin novels, by Patrick O’Brian, are so addictive that after I finish one I have to hide the next from myself for a little while in order to do anything else but read.’Louise Erdrich ‘In Aubrey and Maturin, Patrick O’Brian has created two of the most enjoyable characters in twentieth-century fiction. Their relationship sustains an absorbing and thrilling sequence of naval stories, unrivalled in their complexity, full of impeccable detail and psychological insight. O’Brian switches from the intimate to the epic with equal assurance. One of the greatest authors to sail with.’Michael Palin ‘My hero is Patrick O’Brian. It’s basically impossible to write that well.’David Mamet ‘One of the most compelling and brilliant novelists of his time . . . Beyond his superbly elegant writing, wit and originality, Patrick O’Brian showed an understanding of the nature of a floating world at the mercy of the wind and the sea which has never been surpassed.’Max Hastings, Evening Standard ‘I devoured Patrick O’Brian’s twenty-volume masterpiece as if it had been so many tots of Jamaica grog.’Christopher Hitchens ‘Written with most engaging enthusiasm that can’t fail to give pleasure to anybody who enjoys historical adventure flavoured with more than a dash of realism.’The Sunday Times ‘One of the most brilliantly sustained pieces of historical fictional writing this century.’James Teacher, Spectator ‘Patrick O’Brian brings depth to his sea-stories with outstanding dialogue, characterisation, humour and a golden thread of romance. You don’t have to love books about naval battles to become entranced.’Katie Fforde

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Book SynopsisA sweeping and heart-breaking WW2 novel that takes the reader from Munich to POW camps in 1940s Florida. A revised and updated edition from a New York Times bestselling author.

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Book Synopsis''A compelling, atmospheric page-turner'' Steve Cavanagh''Gripping and compelling . . . balances immersive historical scene-setting with masterful plotting'' Dan Jones''A seriously gripping story - an outsider hero in jeopardy, a world of brooding danger, and an entirely, terrifyingly believable denouement'' Owen MatthewsBERLIN, JANUARY 1940Germany has conquered Poland. The world is praying for peace. At home, the Nazi Party''s hold on power is absolute. One freezing night, an SS doctor and his wife return home from an evening out. By sunrise, the doctor will be lifeless in a pool of blood. There is pressure to record the incident as a suicide, but the first evidence uncovered by Criminal Inspector Horst Schenke points to a chillingly staged murder. The investigation is swiftly blocked by Schenke''s superiors, but he can''t let it go. When he uncovers links to the mysterious death of a child, a terriTrade ReviewA compelling, atmospheric page-turner * Steve Cavanagh *Gripping and compelling . . . balances immersive historical scene-setting with masterful plotting * Dan Jones *A superb thriller with all the elements that make for a seriously gripping story - an outsider hero in jeopardy, a world of brooding danger, and an entirely, terrifyingly believable denouement * Owen Matthews *A chilling and accomplished historical thriller * Vaseem Khan *An absolute stone-cold page-turner * S. G. MacLean *'Scarrow's second World War Two thriller is a tense and fast-paced tale rich in period atmosphere' -- Bill Todd * The Sun *The moral ambiguity gives it a very especial edge. It is a tense, fast-moving story with plenty of action, culminating in a vividly described shoot-out -- Edward James * Historical Novel Review *Scarrow has alighted on an aspect of Nazi policy that certainly deserves to be better known -- James Owen * The Times *

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Book SynopsisFrom the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of ‘March’ and ‘People of the Book’. A young woman’s struggle to save her family and her soul during the extraordinary year of 1666, when plague suddenly struck a small Derbyshire village. In 1666, plague swept through London, driving the King and his court to Oxford, and Samuel Pepys to Greenwich, in an attempt to escape contagion. The north of England remained untouched until, in a small community of leadminers and hill farmers, a bolt of cloth arrived from the capital. The tailor who cut the cloth had no way of knowing that the damp fabric carried with it bubonic infection. So begins the Year of Wonders, in which a Pennine village of 350 souls confronts a scourge beyond remedy or understanding. Desperate, the villagers turn to sorcery, herb lore, and murderous witch-hunting. Then, led by a young and charismatic preacher, they elect to isolate themselves in a fatal quarantine. The story is told through the eyes of Anna Frith who, at only 18, must contend with the death of her family, the disintegration of her society, and the lure of a dangerous and illicit attraction. Geraldine Brooks’s novel explores love and learning, fear and fanaticism, and the struggle of 17th century science and religion to deal with a seemingly diabolical pestilence. ‘Year of Wonders’ is also an eloquent memorial to the real-life Derbyshire villagers who chose to suffer alone during England’s last great plague.Trade Review‘One of the best novels I’ve ever clapped eyes on’ Jenni Murray, Woman’s Hour ‘Geraldine Brooks’s impressive novel goes well beyond chronicling the devastation of a plague-ridden village. It leaves us with the memory of vivid characters struggling in timeless human ways with the hardships confronting them – and the memory, too, of an elegant and engaging story.’ Arthur Golden, author of ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’ ‘Geraldine Brooks's ‘Year of Wonders’ is a wonder indeed. The novel gives the reader a remarkable glimpse into a 17th century horror, but does so with both compassion and exuberance. Read it for the inventiveness of the language alone – a genuine treat.’ Anita Shreve, author of ‘The Pilot’s Wife’ and ‘The Last TIme They Met’ 'More than a mountain of corpses, more than a sensual evocation of the Sapphic bond between two women, more than a pulse-quickening tale, ‘Year of Wonders’ is a staggering fictional debut.' Guardian ‘’Year of Wonders’ carries absolute conviction as an evocation of place and mood. It has a vivid imaginative truth, and is beautifully written.’ Hilary Mantel

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Book SynopsisWinston Graham is the author of more than forty novels, which include Cordelia, Marnie, The Walking Stick and Stephanie as well as the highly successful Poldark series. His novels have been translated into seventeen languages. Many of Winston Graham's books have been filmed for the big screen, the most notable being Marnie directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The BBC television series of the Poldark novels was broadcast in twenty-two countries and starred Aidan Turner and Eleanor Tomlinson. Winston Graham was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and in 1983 was awarded the OBE. He died in July 2003

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Book SynopsisA deadly plague is spreading across the land...__________________As the year 1349 approaches, the Black Death continues its devastating course across England. In Dorseteshire, the quarantined people of Develish question whether they are the only survivors. Guided by their beloved young mistress, Lady Anne, they wait, knowing that when their dwindling stores are finally gone they will have no choice but to leave. But where will they find safety in the desolate wasteland outside? One man has the courage to find out. Thaddeus Thurkell, a free-thinking, educated serf, strikes out in search of supplies and news. A compelling leader, he and his companions quickly throw off the shackles of serfdom and set their minds to ensuring Develish's future - and freedom for its people.But what use is freedom that cannot be gained lawfully? When Lady Anne and Thaddeus conceive an audacious plan to secure her people's independence, neither foresees the life-threatening struggle over power, money and religion that follows...'Wonderful and sweeping, with a fabulous sense of place and history.' Kate Mosse on The Last HoursTrade ReviewWonderful and sweeping, with a fabulous sense of place and history * Kate Mosse on The Last Hours *An enthralling account of a calamitous time, and above all a wonderful testimony to the strength of the human spirit. I was caught from the first page. * Julian Fellowes on The Last Hours *Atmosphere, imagination and narrative power of which few other writers are capable * The Times *A vividly-wrought and powerful story. With The Last Hours, Minette Walters has brought her impressive skill as a writer of psychological crime to create a dark and gripping depiction of Medieval England in the jaws of the Black Death. * Elizabeth Fremantle on The Last Hours *Walters's skill and subtlety in portraying the suffering and disarray of a feudal society in which disease rampages and God has seemingly gone mad is masterly. And, as with her bestselling suspense novels, the psychological drama is gripping. * Elizabeth Buchan, Daily Mail, praise for The Last Hours *Stunning * Daily Express *A must-read... eloquent, absorbing, absolutely fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable. * LoveReading *a mammoth tale * BBC History Magazine *

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Book SynopsisSet in an alternative Edwardian England, this is a comedy of manners, manor houses, and hedge mazes – including a magic-infused murder mystery and a delightful queer romance.‘Lush historical fantasy . . . A delightful book, with richly developed characters’ – New York Times‘Mystery! Magic! Murder! . . . This book is a confection, both marvellous and light’ – Alix E. Harrow, author of The Ten Thousand Doors of JanuaryFor fans of Georgette Heyer or Julia Quinn's Bridgerton, who'd like to welcome magic into their lives . . .Young baronet Robin Blyth thought he was taking up a minor governmental post. However, he's actually been appointed parliamentary liaison to a secret magical society. If it weren’t for this administrative error, he’d never have discovered the incredible magic underlying his world.Cursed by mysterious attackers and plagued by visions, Robin becomes determined to drag answers from his missing predecessor – but he’ll need the help of Edwin Courcey, his hostile magical-society counterpart. Unwillingly thrown together, Robin and Edwin will discover a plot that threatens every magician in the British Isles.The Binding meets Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell in debut author Freya Marske’s A Marvellous Light. Continue the thrilling series with A Restless Truth.‘A dazzling debut’ – Shelley Parker-Chan, author of She Who Became the Sun‘Prepare to fall in love with the gorgeous Edwardian setting, the sizzling character dynamics, and the murderous enchanted hedge maze’ – Emily Tesh, author of Silver in the Wood‘An absolute delight . . . If you ever wished Downton Abbey was sharper-edged and full of magic, this is the book for you’ – Kat Howard, author of An Unkindness of MagiciansTrade ReviewMystery! Magic! Murder! Long looks full of yearning! This book is a confection, both marvellous and light -- Alix E. HarrowThat sublime prose! Her astonishing gift for imagery! And, of course, her bountiful and endless talent for writing some extremely sexy scenes. A Marvellous Light is all that and more. Perfect -- Jenn LyonsA magical world of exquisite refinement, where peril skims beneath manners, interiors bespeak both faultless taste and deadly secrets, and the sexual tension crescendos until it literally makes sparks fly. A dazzling debut -- Shelley Parker-ChanRomantic in the best way, funny, sharp, sexy, fantastical. Prepare to fall in love with the gorgeous Edwardian setting, the sizzling character dynamics, and the murderous enchanted hedge maze -- Emily TeshFreya Marske's A Marvellous Light is an absolute delight. I was caught from the very beginning by the compellingly realized characters, the gorgeous and deadly magical world, and the fascinating mystery. If you ever wished Downton Abbey was sharper-edged and full of magic, this is the book for you -- Kat HowardFreya's prose is so splendid that merely reading it makes me feel like I've been filled to the brim with champagne bubbles. A Marvellous Light has everything you could ever want from a book – beautiful descriptions, expertly woven world-building, queer kissing, sexual tension in a library, quite a lot of William Morris wallpaper . . . This book is brilliant on every level. It is wondrous. It is, if you will excuse a small joke, marvellous -- Alexandra RowlandA charming, lovingly crafted adventure full of peril, romance and wit, illuminated by sparkling turns of phrase and a pervasive sense of humour -- A. K. LarkwoodEqual parts fantasy, mystery and romance – with bonus murderous garden features – A Marvellous Light heralds a strong new voice in science fiction and fantasy -- Sam HawkeThis romantic fantasy is full of fascinating world-building, layers upon layers of delicious magic, and characters I adored. I want to spend so much more time in this alternate England's enchanted libraries and sinister hedge mazes! The whole experience was a delight -- Stephanie BurgisA gripping story, told in precise and sensual language, with the kind of characters that make you want a spin-off book for even the ones you've barely met. Magic, romance and mayhem in a beautifully decorated – and occasionally actively dangerous – Edwardian setting -- Malka OlderA completely enchanting story that sweeps you into a world of art and romance. Marske is an extraordinary talent who writes compelling characters, entertainingly awful families, and love stories like nobody else -- Everina MaxwellA breathtaking queer romantic fantasy . . . Sensual erotic scenes, an intriguing magic system, and a puzzling mystery combine to make this novel a wonder -- Publishers Weekly, starred reviewAn enchanting, gripping and dazzling debut -- Daily MailCompelling, sumptuously written, clever and brimming with intrigue and sexual tension (and its release) . . . The definition of reading for pure pleasure; we are ready for the next instalment, immediately -- Attitude MagazineLush historical fantasy . . . a delightful book, with richly developed characters -- New York Times

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Book SynopsisThree gripping tales from No.1 Sunday Times bestseller S. J. Parris.Trade Review‘S. J. Parris gives us a glimpse into the younger years of Giordano Bruno, her 16th-century heretic and spy, in this collection of three beguiling novellas’ Observer ‘Fans of Parris’s superior mysteries featuring cleric-turned-sleuth Giordano Bruno, seen most recently in Conspiracy, will be delighted by this stellar collection of three novellas from his early years. This is an accessible entry point for newcomers’ Publishers Weekly (starred) Praise for S. J. Parris: ‘A delicious blend of history and thriller’ The Times ‘A tight plot combines with subtly-realised characters and an omnipresent sense of danger … My pleasure in the vividly textured backdrop and a cracking story was accompanied by an uneasy shudder’ Daily Mail ‘Colourful characters, fast-moving plots and a world where one false step in religion or politics can mean a grisly death’ Sunday Times ‘S. J. Parris is one of my favourite authors – and unquestionably our greatest living writer of historical thrillers’ A.J. Finn ‘Vivid, sprawling … Well-crafted, exuberant’ Financial Times ‘Successful historical thrillers need three elements: a killer plot that weaves seamlessly into the history; an engaging protagonist; and an atmospheric sense of place. Parris nails all three’ The Times ‘Pacy, intricate, and thrilling… Full of historical detail and rich with atmosphere’ Observer ‘I can thoroughly recommend Conspiracy, which twists and turns like a corkscrew of venomous snakes’ Stuart MacBride ‘Parris’s Giordano Bruno series has been a joy’ Sunday Telegraph ‘Impossible to resist … Parris creates a convincing sense of the past, woven with so much intrigue that the head fairly spins’ Daily Telegraph ‘It has everything – intrigue, mystery and excellent history’ Kate Mosse A classy mystery’ Observer ‘Superbly plotted, shimmeringly written, it will have you on the edge of your seat’ Kate Williams, author of The Storms of War

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Book SynopsisEscape to the French chateau in this gripping, sweeping tale of love, lies and divided loyalties. Perfect for fans of Santa Montefiore and Lucinda Riley._________________________________________________________________ONE FAMILYGENERATIONS OF SECRETSIT'S TIME TO ESCAPE TO THE CHATEAU . . .Elise is a true daughter of the chateau. She'd die before anything happened to Sainte Madeleine even if it means betraying her own family.Alexandre, Elise's brother, is destined to inherit yet a dangerous rift with their father puts his future, and the chateau, in jeopardy.And for distant cousin Laurent, his life-long love for Elise will always call him back to Sainte Madeleine.But the peace of Europe rests on a knife-edge, and history has bigger plans than them all. Through love and war, danger and deceit, can the chateau and the Salignac family weather the storm?Readers are getting swept away by Sainte Madeleine:It is perfect escapism' Netgalley reviewerA beautiful love story that captures your Trade Review‘Fabulous escapism, full of secrets & scandalous behaviour. Big and sweeping, it transported me to France, Greece, California… A pacy riot of a saga’ Tracy Rees More praise for Tilly Bagshawe’s escapist and glamorous novels: ‘A cut above the rest… Pure, unadulterated escapism’ Fabulous ‘Fast-paced, fun and thoroughly entertaining’ Daily Mail ‘If you like your fiction with a large helping of glamour and scandal, this is a gem’ Prima

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Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times bestselling debut novel from global star Millie Bobby BrownLove blooms in the darkest daysLondon, 1942. Despite the raging war, spirited 18-year-old Nellie Morris lives a quiet life in the tight-knit East End community of Bethnal Green. Her family and friends all tease that she will marry air raid warden Billy, the boy next door who's always been sweet on her.The arrival of Ray, a handsome American airman stationed nearby, causes Nellie to question everything she thought she knew about her future.Nellie's new-found happiness is short-lived when a tragic accident occurs during an air raid. Even the closest family can't escape the devastation of war, and as the secrets and truth about that fateful night become clear, they threaten to tear Nellie and those dearest to her apart.'There is no healing without remembering, and there is no remembering without stories. So thank goodness Brown's Nanny Ruth, who was a survivor of the crush, told her granddaughter what she remembTrade Review Inspired by the true events of her family history, Millie Bobby Brown’s dazzling debut novel is a moving tale of longing, loss and secrets, and the lengths that we will go to fight for love. ’There is no healing without remembering, and there is no remembering without stories. So thank goodness Brown’s Nanny Ruth, who was a survivor of the crush, told her granddaughter what she remembered. . .You might open Nineteen Steps for the celebrity name, but stick with it for the history of an under-recognized event of World War II.’ New York Times ‘This novel will make you swoon, laugh, and even cry, because some parts are truly devastating, especially when you remember it's based on true events. . .It’s thought-provoking and easy to read – one to pop on your cosy autumn TBR pile.’ Daily Mirror ‘Millie Bobby Brown’s debut novel beautifully portrays her grandmother’s experience. . .[and] shrewdly portrays the difficult history of a tragedy that is often overlooked.’ The i Paper ‘A dazzling debut.’ Woman’s Own ‘A brilliant debut novel inspired by the true events of Millie Bobby Brown’s family history.’ Closer

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Book SynopsisTwo women separated by time are linked by the most famous murder mystery in history, the Princes in the Tower.Lady Katherine Grey has already suffered more than her fair share of tragedy. Newly pregnant, she has incurred the wrath of her formidable cousin, Queen Elizabeth I, who sees her as a rival to her insecure throne.Alone in her chamber in the Tower, she finds old papers belonging to a kinswoman of hers, Kate Plantagenet, who forty years previously had embarked on a dangerous quest to find what really happened to her cousins, the two young Princes who had last been seen as captives in the Tower.But time is not on Kate''s side - nor on Katherine''s either ...Trade ReviewStunning . . . spine-tingling . . . A richly layered cake of love, sex, danger, death and mystery * Sunday Express *

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Book SynopsisPaulo's writing is a visionary blend of spirituality, magical realism and folklore. His stories are simple and direct, yet they have the power to change lives and inspire you with the courage to follow your dreamsHis fifth novel, The Fifth Mountain, is set in the 9th century BC. Elijah is a young man struggling to maintain his sanity amidst a chaotic world of tyranny and war. Forced to flee his home, then choose between his new found love and security and his overwhelming sense of duty, this is a moving and inspiring story about how we can transcend even the most terrible ordeals by keeping faith and love alive.Trade Review‘His books have and a life-enhancing impact on millions of people’The Times ‘His writing is like a path of energy that inadvertently leads readers to themselves, toward their mysterious and faraway souls.’Figaro Litteraire, France ‘Paulo Coelho represents the legend of the wise storyteller.’Corriere della Sera, Italy

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Book SynopsisThe Powder of Death tells the story of how gunpowder found its way to the west.

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Book SynopsisJeffrey Archer, whose novels and short stories include the Clifton Chronicles, Kane and Abel and Cat O' Nine Tales, is one of the world's favourite storytellers and has topped the bestseller lists around the world in a career spanning four decades. His work has been sold in ninety-seven countries and in more than thirty-seven languages. He is the only author ever to have been a number one bestseller in fiction, short stories and non-fiction (The Prison Diaries).Jeffrey is also an art collector, sports lover, and amateur auctioneer, conducting numerous charity auctions every year. A member of the House of Lords for over a quarter of a century, the author is married to Dame Mary Archer, and they have two sons, two grandsons and a granddaughter.Trade ReviewArcher is on top form * The Daily Telegraph *I enjoyed the book and marvelled at both its pace and the imaginative cliffhanger ending, whetting our appetite for volume two * The Sunday Express *This is a cracker of a read. And quite 'unputdownable'. The whole thing about Jeffrey is that he has always had the knack of producing page-turners -- Jerry Hayes * The Spectator *The ability to tell a story is a great – and unusual – gift . . . [it] is not something that can be taught or acquired. You have it or you don’t . . . Jeffrey Archer is, first and foremost, a storyteller . . . You don’t sell 250 million copies of your books (250 million!) if you can’t keep an audience hooked – and that’s what Archer does, book after book. Archer’s audience will stick with him to the last. They want to know what happens next -- Erica Wagner, Literary Editor * The Times *

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Book SynopsisJeffrey Archer, whose novels and short stories include the Clifton Chronicles, Kane and Abel and Cat O' Nine Tales, is one of the world's favourite storytellers and has topped the bestseller lists around the world in a career spanning four decades. His work has been sold in ninety-seven countries and in more than thirty-seven languages. He is the only author ever to have been a number one bestseller in fiction, short stories and non-fiction (The Prison Diaries).Jeffrey is also an art collector, sports lover, and amateur auctioneer, conducting numerous charity auctions every year. A member of the House of Lords for over a quarter of a century, the author is married to Dame Mary Archer, and they have two sons, two grandsons and a granddaughter.Trade ReviewI guarantee that anyone who takes this book from the shelves will not be able to put it down -- Jerry Hayes * The Spectator *Probably the greatest storyteller of our age * The Mail on Sunday *

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Book Synopsis**OVER 3 MILLION COPIES SOLD**WINNER OF THE ORANGE WOMEN''S PRIZE FOR FICTIONTHE INTERNATIONAL SENSATIONA SUNDAY TIMES AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER''Captivating'' DONNA TARTT''I loved it'' J K ROWLING''Ravishingly vivid'' EMMA DONOGHUEGreece in the age of heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the court of King Peleus and his perfect son Achilles. Despite their differences, Achilles befriends the shamed prince, and as they grow into young men skilled in the arts of war and medicine, their bond blossoms into something deeper - despite the displeasure of Achilles''s mother Thetis, a cruel sea goddess. But when word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, Achilles must go to war in distant Troy and fulfill his destiny. Torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus goes with him, little knowing that the years that follow will test everything they hold dear.''A book I could not put down'' ANN PATCHETTAn exciting, sexy, violent Superman version of The Iliad' GUARDIANSexy, dangerous, mystical' BETTANY HUGHESTrade ReviewI loved it * J.K. Rowling *A captivating retelling of the Iliad and events leading up to it through the point of view of Patroclus: it's a hard book to put down, and any classicist will be enthralled by her characterisation of the goddess Thetis, which carries the true savagery and chill of antiquity * Donna Tartt *At once a scholar’s homage to the Iliad and startlingly original work of art by an incredibly talented new novelist ... A book I could not put down * Ann Patchett *Inventive, passionate, uplifting and different ... A truly worthy winner * Joanna Trollope *

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Book SynopsisExplore the man behind the myth of Richard III in this special thirtieth anniversary edition of The Sunne in Splendour by Sharon Penman. Step into the tumultuous world of the 15th century England with Sharon Penman's bestselling and painstakingly detailed historical novel, breathing life into the infamous King Richard III, showcasing his prowess as a battle commander during the Wars of the Roses.Richard is a fiercely loyal, courageous man of principles. A devoted brother, a beloved patron of the arts, and a generous friend, and far more than the warrior his reputation suggests.But in the treacherous waters of court politics, Richard's code of conduct betrays him. Pulled under by the tides of history, Richard is the man immortalised as a usurper of the throne, and the man behind the mystery of the Princes in the Tower.Crafted with vibrant brushstrokes of medieval life, love, and intrigue, The Sunne in Splendour peers into tTrade ReviewA painstakingly drawn picture of royal medieval England from bedchamber to battleground * Los Angeles Times Book Review *The reader is left with the haunting sensation that perhaps the good a man does can live after him - especially in the hands of a dedicated historian * San Diego Union *Those who know Richard III from Shakespeare will find that Sharon Kay Penman presents a contrasting view of the English monarch . . . He's an altogether nice man, a romantic hero as suitable to our late twentieth-century standards . . . As he was to those of medieval England . . . There is a vengeful quality to her insistence that is appealing; it makes for a good story * New York Times Book Review *Penman's novel, rich in detail and research, attempts to set the record straight . . . It is an uncommonly fine novel, one that brings a far-off time to brilliant life * Chattanooga Daily Times *

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Book SynopsisSix years after The Half-Drowned King, Ragnvald Eysteinsson is now king of Sogn, but fighting battles for King Harald keeps him away from home, as he confronts treachery and navigates a political landscape that grows more dangerous the higher he rises.Ragnvald''s sister Svanhild has found the freedom and adventure she craves at the side of the rebel explorer Solvi Hunthiofsson, though not without a cost. She longs for a home where her quiet son can grow strong, and a place where she can put down roots, even as Solvi''s ambition draws him back to Norway''s battles again and keeps her divided from her brother.As a growing rebellion unites King Harald''s enemies, Ragnvald suspects that some Norse nobles are not loyal to Harald''s dream of a unified Norway. He sets a plan in motion to defeat all of his enemies, and bring his sister back to his side, while Svanhild finds herself with no easy decisions, and no choices that will leave her truly free. Their actions wiTrade ReviewA seafaring epic with bloodcurdling raids and political intrigue to spare... Svanhild emerges as a complicated, talented, and shrewd warrior in her own right... Hartsuyker is a skilled storyteller, and the moral battles her characters wrestle with on and off the battlefield add compelling psychological depth to an old and epic tale - Kirkus ReviewsHartsuyker's second volume in her trilogy (after The Half-Drowned King) continues the saga of Ragnvald Eysteinsson... but Svanhild proves that Norse women can be just as vicious and cunning as Norse men.... this is an ambitious tale of Norwegian medieval warfare told in richly colorful and accurate historical detail. Hartsuyker's novel reveals just how tenuous life is when disputes are settled with sword and battle-axe - Publishers WeeklyThrough her multifaceted characters, Hartsuyker adeptly evokes female alliances, the complications of love and passion, and vengeance both terrible and triumphant as she effectively juggles many subplots and settings, from Norway's harsh, picturesque coast to sulfurous Iceland and Dublin's muddy harbor - BooklistThis is historical fiction at its best and shouldn't be missed...Hartsuyker adds a rich, Shakespearean approach to characters and politics...All three main characters, Svanhild particularly, are so beautifully realized in their intelligence and emotional development that the descriptions of sea voyages, battles, and mead hall law-wrangling mesh seamlessly with the more personal stories - Editors Choice, Historical Novels Review

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Book SynopsisOutcast from society, his health - and heart - broken, the anguished figure of K paces the rooms of his great house, pausing to scribble furiously at a lectern...Only Victor knows that beneath K's public guise as an idle dilettante, lies a genius who has been fired by an unholy secret into creating a new kind of philosophy, where thought is passionately infused with personal experience. Based on the life of the Danish thinker, Soren Kierkegaard, who asserted that when he died 'there will not be found one single word to indicate what my life was really about', The Stormy Petrel is precisely the inside story of what his life is about - an investigation into a soul torn between natural love and a supernatural vocation, which leads inexorably to the attack that makes his name anathema for a hundred years.Trade ReviewPraise for Patrick Harpur's writing: "Sublime" - The Guardian; "Casual brilliance" - The Independent; "Deeply illuminating" - Resurgence

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Book SynopsisCan love heal the wounds of war?It is 1948, and the village of Hennaford is struggling to recover from the war – the Harvey family along with it.Johnny Harvey is disillusioned; injured in the war and disturbed at the changing society; life seems to be passing him by. Jill Harvey, finally pregnant after four years of marriage, befriends sixteen-year-old Kate Viant, crippled with polio and abandoned by her family. Tess, left behind by society, might just prove her worth when something threatens the life of Jill’s unborn child…The stunning final book of the Harvey Family Sagas. Perfect for fans of Kitty Neale, Margaret Dickinson and Mary Gibson

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Book SynopsisLonglisted for the Dylan Thomas Prize'Wildly seductive' Sarah Waters - 'Exquisite' New York Times - 'Deeply enjoyable' Daily TelegraphBlanca has been dead for a few centuries when she falls in love – instantly and devotedly – with celebrated novelist George Sand. George is unlike anyone Blanca has encountered in hundreds of years of haunting: a woman dressed in men’s clothes, a ferocious writer, a passionate lover of men and women alike and an ambivalent mother.It is 1838, and George has come to the island of Mallorca with her ailing lover, Frédéric Chopin. As the weather and the locals turn against this strange couple, can the love of a teenage ghost keep them from disaster?Briefly, A Delicious Life is a story about breaking convention, and about love – yearning, secret, forbidden, unrequited.'Dazzling' Melissa Broder, author of The Pisces and Milk Fed‘A luscious, multi-sensory bewitchment of a book’ Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of The Mercies‘A shining work of art’ Elizabeth Macneal, author of The Doll Factory'Electrifyingly beautiful, exhilaratingly clever . . . sensual, original, intelligent and brimming with love' Imogen Hermes Gowar, author of The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock‘Hugely accomplished’ The Guardian‘A playful, otherworldly debut’ StylistTrade ReviewA luscious, multi-sensory bewitchment of a book - Stevens’ writing rings with wit and surprise -- Kiran Millwood Hargrave, Sunday Times bestselling author of The MerciesI found myself floored by the astonishing freshness of this historical novel . . . A shining work of art, but so deftfully, gracefully done, that it was a struggle to stop myself from turning the pages. Nell Stevens is an original, whose touch is as deft as it is masterful -- Elizabeth Macneal, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Doll FactoryStevens is brilliant at describing desire * Guardian *Deeply enjoyable, guileful * Telegraph *A voluptuous delight . . . Like the best historical fiction it is playfully disingenuous . . . the whole book is radiant with life * Financial Times *Truly original . . . brilliant * The Herald *Nell Stevens’s hugely accomplished debut novel evokes a sense both of place and time with a confidence that augurs well for her future career . . . The book is attuned to both contemporary and timeless concerns and grips throughout * Guardian *A teenage ghost falls in love with a writer who doesn’t know she exists in this playful, otherworldly debut novel * Stylist *Electrifyingly beautiful, exhilaratingly clever . . . categorically the most gorgeous first novel I've read in years. It's rare that I come across historical fiction so sensual, so original, so intelligent, and so brimming with love -- Imogen Hermes Gowar, author of The Mermaid and Mrs HancockA gorgeous, wildly seductive novel, shimmering with intelligence, humour and joy. I adored this book. -- Sarah Waters, author of Fingersmith and The Paying GuestsA haunting, dazzling tale of all the good stuff: love, sex, music, literature, death, and what happens after. Nell Stevens is a beautiful writer. -- Melissa Broder, author of The Pisces and Milk Fed A heady yet poignant story about a queer ghost who falls in love * Vogue *This deeply wild debut follows the unconventional love triangle that unfolds between real-life French novelist George Sand, her lover Frédéric Chopin, and the teenage ghost who died over 400 years earlier and pines after George from afar. * Cosmopolitan, Best Summer Reads 2022 *An interesting and absorbing read . . . Highly recommended * Times of Tunbridge Wells *Tantalising . . . Stevens is convincing in her portrayal of the haunting nature of desire past and present * Literary Review *There are biographies, and there are novels fictionalising real characters, imagining what might happen 'if'. This one is truly original, as it is a brilliant mix of both . . . Blanca may be a ghost, but her feelings are very real, as are the sights, sounds, smells, and dramas which envelop Sand, Chopin and their family, as they struggle for acceptance, creative freedom and, at times, survival * i *A novel of tremulous beauty, sly wit and deep understanding, Briefly, A Delicious Life is an addictive, sunlit delight -- Stuart Evers, author of The Blind LightA luminous, beguiling exploration of creativity and love -- Alice Albinia, author of CWENThis delightfully weird story of loss, longing and love just begs to fill a rainy afternoon. * Good Housekeeping (USA) *Stevens’ prose is by turns languid and visceral . . . An entrancing and singular exploration of a fascinating historical footnote and a queer life after death. -- Kirkus (starred review)We know we are curious about the dead but imagine a life lived so vibrantly as to make the dead curious about us. Nell Stevens brings a reader into the strange and brilliant artistic exile of George Sand, writing this tender story with tremendous heart and daring. Here, reader, are the low-lying truths of love, art and time -- Samantha Hunt, author of The Dark DarkStevens' writing is beautiful and evocative of the Majorcan landscape as she slowly develops the arc of Sand and Chopin's affair and elucidates Blanca's life spent in tantalizing anticipation . . . this is a winner with appeal beyond historical fiction readers * Booklist *A haunting (in all senses of the word) and evocative magical realist account of creativity and gender, sexuality and inspiration, a ghost story both gothic and beautiful * The Millions *

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Book Synopsis Two young women find the bond of lifelong friendship gives them the strength to hold on to their dreams, in the hardship of 1920s Liverpool. In Friends Forever, Lyn Andrews weaves an unforgettable saga of friendship overcoming life''s hardships. Perfect for fans of Nadine Dorries and Joan Jonker.In 1928 Bernie O''Sullivan and Molly Keegan catch their first glimpse of the bustling city they''re about to call home. Both seventeen, and best friends since childhood, the girls have left Ireland behind to seek an exciting new life in Liverpool.They are dismayed to discover that the relatives they are to stay with have barely two pennies to rub together; the promised grand house is a run-down building in one of Liverpool''s worst slum areas. Desperate to escape, Bernie secures a position as a domestic servant, while Molly is taken on as a shop assistant. Soon they have settled and find themselves in love with local mTrade ReviewPraise for Lyn Andrews: 'An outstanding storyteller' * Woman's Weekly *A vivid portrayal of life * Best *A compelling read * Woman's Own *Gutsy...a vivid picture of a hard-up, hard-working community...will keep the pages turning * Daily Express *The Catherine Cookson of Liverpool * Northern Echo *

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Book SynopsisWATERSTONES SCOTTISH BOOK OF THE YEAR 2018!*******''Scotland''s Outer Hebrides provides the sensuous setting for this impressive debut...a beautifully crafted novel'' - Publishers Weekly''Lovely atmospheric descriptions of Hebridean light and landscape'' - The ScotsmanA captivating story of a crumbling estate in the wilds of Scotland, its century-old secret and an enduring mystery...Following the death of her last living relative, Hetty Deveraux leaves London and her strained relationship behind for Muirlan, her ancestral home in Scotland - now in ruins. As Hetty dives headfirst into the repairs, she discovers a shocking secret protected by the house for a hundred years.With only whispered rumours circulating among the local villagers and a handful of leads to guide her, Hetty finds the power of the past is still affecting her present in sTrade ReviewLovely atmospheric descriptions of Hebridean light and landscape * The Scotsman *There is an echo of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca in Sarah Maine's appealing debut novel * The Independent *A tremendous accomplishment. So assured, so well-judged, and with such an involving story to tell, this might be the author's fifth or sixth novel, not her first. A literary star is born! -- Ronald Frame, author of The Lantern Bearers and Havisham ...it came as a great surprise to learn that this was the author's debut novel. I predict great things for Sarah Maine * The Book Bag *Scotland's Outer Hebrides provides the sensuous setting for [this] impressive debut...[a] beautifully crafted novel. * Publishers Weekly *Maine skillfully balances a Daphne du Maurier atmosphere with a Barbara Vine-like psychological mystery...The setting emerges as the strongest personality in this compelling story, evoking passion in the characters as fierce as the storms which always lurk on the horizon. A debut historical thriller which deftly blends classic suspense with modern themes. * Kirkus Reviews *

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Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER The story of a mother's quest to find her children against all odds, set against the epic backdrop of the sinking of the legendary Titanic. ‘Smashing . . . I was hooked on page one and literally could not put it down. I loved all that she wrote about the true story behind this thrilling tale’ JOANNA LUMLEY Nice, France, 1911: After three years of marriage, young seamstress Marcela Caretto has finally had enough. Her husband, Michael, an ambitious tailor, has become cruel and controlling and she determines to get a divorce. But while awaiting the judges’ decision on the custody of their two small boys, Michael receives news that changes everything. Meanwhile fun-loving New York socialite Margaret Hays is touring Europe with some friends. Restless, she resolves to head home aboard the most celebrated steamer in the world – RMS Titanic. As the ship sets sail for America, carrying two infants bearing false names, the paths of Marcela, Michael and Margaret cross - and nothing will ever be the same again. From the Sunday Times-bestselling author, Celia Imrie, Orphans of the Storm dives into the waters of the past to unearth a sweeping, epic tale of the sinking of the Titanic that radiates with humanity and hums with life. _____________________ 'Gripping . . . An epic adventure' ROSIE GOODWIN 'A gripping read' DAILY MIRROR, Summer readsTrade ReviewGripping ... An epic adventure -- ROSIE GOODWINSmashing ... It would be fair to say that I was hooked on page one and literally could not put it down. I loved all that she wrote about the true story behind this thrilling tale -- JOANNA LUMLEYGripping … A moving tale of courage, survival and maternal love * Sunday Express *A heart-wrenching journey that breathes new life and humanity into the tragic sinking of the Titanic * Woman's Own *Atmospheric and utterly addictive * My Weekly *Praise for Celia Imrie: Utterly delicious in every way -- Joanna LumleyA very witty novel by a very witty woman. Hugely entertaining -- Julian FellowesA keenly observed, rollicking tale * Mail on Sunday *Wonderful and very amusing -- Helen LedererA hugely enjoyable romp of a novel with eccentric characters, a delightful background and a savoury tang of crime -- Katie FfordeAnything written by Celia Imrie is guaranteed to put a smile on our faces * Good Housekeeping *Forget the cruise. Grab Imrie's novel and have twice as much fun -- Hilary BoydCelia Imrie reveals a whole new talent in this irresistible murder mystery caper, packed with wonderful characters that will grip you to the last glorious page -- Maeve Haran

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Book SynopsisBY THE WINNER OF THE 2021 NOBEL PRIZE IN LITERATURE SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2021 ORWELL PRIZE FOR POLITICAL FICTION LONGLISTED FOR THE 2021 WALTER SCOTT PRIZE ‘Riveting and heartbreaking ... A compelling novel, one that gathers close all those who were meant to be forgotten, and refuses their erasure’ Maaza Mengiste, Guardian ‘A brilliant and important book for our times, by a wondrous writer’ Philippe Sands, New Statesman, Books of the Year _______________ While he was still a little boy, Ilyas was stolen from his parents by the German colonial troops. After years away, fighting in a war against his own people, he returns to his village to find his parents gone, and his sister Afiya given away. Another young man returns at the same time. Hamza was not stolen for the war, but sold into it; he has grown up at the right hand of an officer whose protection has marked him life. With nothing but the clothes on his back, he seeks only work and security – and the love of the beautiful Afiya. As fate knots these young people together, as they live and work and fall in love, the shadow of a new war on another continent lengthens and darkens, ready to snatch them up and carry them away… _______________ ‘One of the world’s most prominent postcolonial writers … He has consistently and with great compassion penetrated the effects of colonialism in East Africa and its effects on the lives of uprooted and migrating individuals’ Anders Olsson, chairman of the Nobel Committee ‘In book after book, he guides us through seismic historic moments and devastating societal ruptures while gently outlining what it is that keeps those families, friendships and loving spaces intact, if not fully whole’ Maaza Mengiste ‘Rarely in a lifetime can you open a book and find that reading it encapsulates the enchanting qualities of a love affair ... One scarcely dares breathe while reading it for fear of breaking the enchantment’ The TimesTrade ReviewAn aural archive of a lost Africa ... alive with the unexpected. In it, an obliterated world is enthrallingly retrieved * Sunday Times *From the first assured pages of Afterlives, a book of quiet beauty and tragedy, it is clear one is in the hands of a master storyteller * Financial Times *A tender account of the extraordinariness of ordinary lives, Afterlives combines entrancing storytelling with writing whose exquisite emotional precision confirms Gurnah’s place among the outstanding stylists of modern English prose. Like its predecessors, this is a novel that demands to be read and reread, for its humour, generosity of spirit and clear-sighted vision of the infinite contradictions of human nature * Evening Standard *Riveting and heartbreaking ... A compelling novel, one that gathers close all those who were meant to be forgotten, and refuses their erasure. -- Maaza Mengiste * Guardian *In clean, measured prose, Gurnah zooms in on individual acts of violence ... and unexpected acts of kindness. Affecting in its ordinariness, Afterlives is a compelling exploration of the urge to find places of sanctuary * Daily Telegraph *A remarkable novel, by a wondrous writer, deeply compelling, a thread that links our humanity with the colonial legacy that lies beneath, in ways that cut deep -- Philippe SandsTo read Afterlives is to be returned to the joy of storytelling as Abdulrazak Gurnah takes us to the place where imagined lives collide with history. In prose as clear and as rhythmic as the waters of the Indian Ocean, the story of Hamza and Afiya is one of simple lives buffeted by colonial ambitions, of the courage it takes to endure, to hold oneself with dignity, and to live with hope in the heart -- Aminatta FornaEffortlessly compelling storytelling ... Gurnah excels at depicting the lives of those made small by cruelty and injustice ... A beautiful, cruel world of bittersweet encounters and pockets of compassion, twists of fate and fluctuating fortunes ... You forget that you are reading fiction, it feels so real -- Leila AboulelaGurnah is a master storyteller -- Aminatta Forna * Financial Times *As beautifully written and pleasurable as anything I've read ... The work of a maestro * Guardian *Rarely in a lifetime can you open a book and find that reading it encapsulates the enchanting qualities of a love affair ... one scarcely dares breathe while reading it for fear of breaking the enchantment * The Times *Many layered, violent, beautiful and strange ... a poetic and vividly conjured book about Africa and the brooding power of the unknown * Independent on Sunday *A powerfully evocative oeuvre that keeps coming back to the same questions, in spare, graceful prose, about the ties that bind and the ties that fray * Daily Telegraph *A vibrant and vivid novel which shows human beings in all their generosity and greed, pettiness and nobility, so that even minor characters seem capable of carrying entire novels all by themselves * Herald *Abdulrazak Gurnah is a master of his craft ... An intricate, delicate novel, vitally necessary * New Internationalist *

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Book Synopsis'C. J. Sansom’s books are arguably the best Tudor novels going' – The Sunday TimesHeartstone is the fifth spellbinding mystery in C. J. Sansom’s number one bestselling Shardlake series, perfect for fans of Hilary Mantel and Philippa Gregory.England, 1545. England is at war. Henry VIII’s invasion of France has gone badly wrong, and a massive French fleet is preparing to sail across the Channel.Meanwhile, Matthew Shardlake is given an intriguing legal case by an old servant of Queen Catherine Parr. Asked to investigate claims of ‘monstrous wrongs’ committed against a young ward of the court, Shardlake and his assistant Jack Barak journey to Portsmouth. There, Shardlake also intends to investigate the mysterious past of Ellen Fettiplace, a young woman incarcerated in the Bedlam.Once in Portsmouth, Shardlake and Barak find themselves in a city preparing for war. The myst

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Book SynopsisC. J. Sansom was educated at Birmingham University, where he took a BA and then a PhD in history. After working in a variety of jobs, he retrained as a solicitor and practised in Sussex, until becoming a full-time writer. Sansom is the bestselling author of the acclaimed Shardlake series, the Spanish Civil War thriller Winter in Madrid and the number one bestseller Dominion. In 2023, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Edinburgh. He lived in Sussex until his death in 2024.

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Book Synopsis'C. J. Sansom’s books are arguably the best Tudor novels going' – The Sunday TimesLamentation is the sixth breathtaking historical novel in C. J. Sansom’s number one bestselling Shardlake series, perfect for fans of Hilary Mantel and Philippa Gregory.England, 1546. King Henry VIII is dying. Meanwhile, his Protestant and Catholic councillors are engaged in a final and decisive power struggle to control the government of Henry’s successor, eight–year–old Prince Edward. As heretics are hunted across London, the Catholic party focus their attack on Henry’s sixth wife, Matthew Shardlake’s old mentor, Queen Catherine Parr, and Shardlake is unexpectedly summoned to Whitehall Palace.For the Queen has a secret. She has written a confessional book, Lamentation of a Sinner, so radically Protestant that if it came to the King’s attention it could bring both her

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Book SynopsisKaren Swan is a Sunday Times top three bestselling author and her novels sell all over the world. She writes two books each year, which are published in the summer and at Christmas. Previous summer titles include The Spanish Promise, The Hidden Beach and The Secret Path and for winter Together by Christmas, Midnight in the Snow and The Christmas Postcards.She lives in Sussex with her husband, three children and two dogs.The Stolen Hours is the second book in the historical Wild Isle series, based on the dramatic evacuation of Scottish island St Kilda in the summer of 1930.

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Book SynopsisA sweeping, multi-generational saga for fans of Downton Abbey, set around the stately home of Cavendon Hall as the roaring twenties change the family's fortunes forever.1926. One stately home's future lies with four very different young womenOn a summer weekend in 1926 the Ingham family gathers at Cavendon Hall, the great house in Yorkshire that has been their family home for centuries, summoned by the Earl. With them are the Swanns who have served the house for generations and know all their secrets.The estate is under threat: the aftermath of the Great War has left Cavendon facing ruin. Its heir is pushing for divorce so he can follow his heart. And the Earl has a surprise of his own.Four young women from both sides of the house will be the ones to shape its future Daphne, fighting to modernise her ancestral home; Cecily Swann, forging a path as a fashion designer in London; Deidre, the career girl, and Dulcie, the outspoken debutante. They will change the estate's future for good Trade Review‘The four young women centre stage are a feistier lot than their Downton counterparts…These are likeable, well-drawn characters whose fortunes you follow with keen interest…neatly captures the brittleness of the decade that danced and stumbled towards the Great Depression.’ Daily Mail ‘Sweeping, fascinating and dramatic… there’s even a nod to Emma Harte. The power and emotion come through on every page’ Romantic Times Book Reviews Acclaim for Cavendon Hall:‘A classic saga of loyalty, secrets, passion and intrigue…if you’ve been suffering withdrawal symptoms from Downton, this is for you’ Daily Mail ‘A stately home, a dangerous secret and two families whose fates have been intertwined for generations…a gripping period piece set on the brink of the Great War. Exquisite escapism of the highest order.’ The Lady ‘A glorious family saga for Downton Abbey fans…This is Barbara Taylor Bradford in her element, full of drama, passion, romance and danger.’ Sarah Broadhurst, lovereading.co.uk

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Book SynopsisFans of Victoria Hislop, Lucinda Riley and Fiona Valpy will absolutely love this captivating and beautifully atmospheric historical saga rich in romance, adventure and unforgettable characters from international bestselling author Colleen McCullough.''Fast-moving and immensely readable... Back to the open spaces, merciless climate and sheer pioneering stance of the magical THE THORN BIRDS, this book is a page turner from start to finish'' -- Maeve Binchy''A rich, compelling epic'' -- Daily Mail''Graphically created... [McCullough is] at her best when at the heart of a relationship'' -- Daily Express''A good yarn... based on rigorous, historical research'' -- Belfast Telegraph''Colleen McCullough is a great storyteller'' -- Sunday Mail''Spellbinding'' -- ***** Reader review''Beautifully written'' -- ***** Reader review''Absolutely loved this book could not put it down'' -- ***** Reader review*****************************************************************************It was one of the greatest human experiments ever undertaken: to populate an unknown land with the criminal, the unloved and the unwanted of English society.Amid conditions of brutality that paralleled those of slavery, ''The First Fleet'' was sent to a land no European but the legendary Captain Cook had ever seen.These convicts - and their equally isolated guards - were left to live or die on the hostile Australian continent.Richard Morgan - a convicted felon and educated, intelligent, resourceful man - finds the will to survive, experience the joys of love, and finally make an indelible mark upon the new frontier.His story is both inspirational and heartwarming and will stay with you long after you finish the last page...Trade ReviewA rich compelling epic * Daily Mail *A good yarn... based on rigorous historical research * Belfast Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisFollowing the critically acclaimed success of Dublin, this riveting sequel takes the story of Ireland from the seventeenth century onwards, picking up at the Reformation, and with it, the devastating arrival of Oliver Cromwell. Cromwell heralds the inauguration of two hundred years of Protestant dominance, throughout which many of the Irish people were impoverished and dispossessed. Dublin is made a Protestant capital, and Catholics become an underclass.Set against the dramatic backdrop of Irish political history, this powerful saga is brought to its conclusion. Journeying through the centuries right the way up to the twentieth century''s Easter Rising and Independence, passing through turbulent milestones such as The Year of the French, the Famine and The Home Rule Movement of Parnell along the way.Trade ReviewThe author bounds excitingly through Irish history...there is much action, some grinding poverty and violence, and an excitement that Rutherford keeps racing through 863 pages. His fictional characters become as vivid as the real life Irish heroes who stride the plot-cum-history * Daily Express *This is historical fiction and family saga on a grand scale * The Good Book Guide *The characters are expertly sketched through the lens of love, loss, rebellion andcommerce...an absorbing and enjoyable read * The Sunday Business Post *Rutherford delivers on what is promised...(he) handles difficult material accurately and well...his ability to maintain a healthy narrative pace with an engaging popular style distinguishes Ireland Awakening as one of the better epic histprical novels * Evening Herald *Riveting sequel * The Irish Post *

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Book SynopsisThe battle of the Teutoburg Forest in September AD 9 saw three Roman legions destroyed by German tribes in a masterful ambush. The defeat was a considerable setback for Rome, but such humiliations were never taken lying down. Twice in the following six years, an experienced general Germanicus and a huge army crossed the Rhine in search of revenge. One lost eagle standard was recovered and many tribes subjugated, but Arminius, the chieftain who had masterminded the Teutoburg massacre, remained at large. Burning for vengeance of his own, he continued to forge alliances among the tribes, his purpose to ambush the legions as before. At face value, Germanicus' overwhelming military superiority seemed to guarantee success, yet the forest-covered, bog-laden landscape and Arminius' guile and tenacity saw the struggle balanced on a knife edge. Eagles in the Storm is a work of fiction, but is peopled by historical characters and based on events in north-western GermaTrade ReviewBen Kane, a master of Roman military fiction…A suitable bloody end to a powerful trilogy -- Antonia Senior * The Times *Eagles in the Storm completes Ben Kane’s magnificent trilogy on the the Battle of Teutoburg… the definitive fictional account…it concludes perfectly…an extraordinary talent…This is brilliant storytelling from an author who is steeped in the history of the Romans * The Winter's Nights *Thrilling and steeped in historical and military detail, this is the conclusion of Ben Kane’s superb Eagles trilogy, which has been a triumph from start to finish * Sunday Express *Once again Ben Kane is a master storyteller, the historical detail is amazing * Frost Magazine *Eagles In The Storm is everything you could want from a historical tale * Culture Fly *Bloodthirsty, soaked in the sweat and tears of its time, this is a fine blend of history and action * Historical Novel Society *

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Book SynopsisThe sixth century was not a peaceful time for the Roman empire. Invaders threatened on all fronties, but they grew to respect and fear the name of Belisarius, the Emperor Justinian''s greatest general. With this book Robert Graves again demonstrates his command of a vast historical subject, creating a startling and vivid picture of a decadent era.

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Book SynopsisA BBC Top 100 Novels that Shaped Our WorldEffia and Esi: two sisters with two very different destinies. One sold into slavery; one a slave trader''s wife. The consequences of their fate reverberate through the generations that follow. Taking us from the Gold Coast of Africa to the cotton-picking plantations of Mississippi; from the missionary schools of Ghana to the dive bars of Harlem, spanning three continents and seven generations, Yaa Gyasi has written a miraculous novel - the intimate, gripping story of a brilliantly vivid cast of characters and through their lives the very story of America itself.Epic in its canvas and intimate in its portraits, Homegoing is a searing and profound debut from a masterly new writer.''This incredible book travels from Ghana to the US revealing how slavery destroyed so many families, traditions and lives - and how its terrifying impact is still reverberating now. Gyasi has created a story of real power and insight'' Stylist, the Decade''s 15 Best Books by Remarkable WomenSelected for Granta''s Best of Young American Novelists 2017Winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award for Best First BookShortlisted for the PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize for Debut Fiction Shortlisted for the Beautiful Book Award 2017Trade ReviewThis novel boldly pushes the scope and possibilities of what historical fiction can do. Intimate yet expansive . . . one of the many extraordinary achievements of Gyasi's enviable debut is the writer's ability to make all the myriad descendants here - enslaved mothers, carpenters, academics - equally worthy of the reader's sustained engagement and compassion -- Michael DonkorShows the unmistakable touch of a gifted writer * The New Yorker *I think I needed to read a book like this to remember what is possible. I think I needed to remember what happens when you pair a gifted literary mind to an epic task. Homegoing is an inspiration -- Ta-Nehisi Coates, National Book Award winning author of 'Between the World and Me'Wildly ambitious debut by a 26-year-old writer . . . It's impossible not to admire the ambition and scope of Homegoing -- Michiko Kakutani * New York Times *Remarkable, is a devastating account of America....explores horror without ever losing sight of humanity or hope * Sunday Times 3 To Watch *[A] commanding debut . . . will stay with you long after you've finished reading. When people talk about all the things fiction can teach its readers, they're talking about books like this * Marie Claire *Gyasi gives voice, and an empathetic ear, to the ensuing seven generations of flawed and deeply human descendants, creating a patchwork mastery of historical fiction * Elle *An astonishing epic debut * Observer *Homegoing is a novel I wish I could have read when I was a young woman. An intelligent, beautiful and healing read, destined to become a classic -- Zadie SmithHomegoing is one hell of a book... I recommend Homegoing without reservation. Definitely a must read for 2016. -- Roxane GayThe brilliance of this structure, in which we know more than the characters do about the fate of their parents and children, pays homage to the vast scope of slavery without losing sight of its private devastation . . . . [Toni Morrison's] influence is palpable in Gyasi's historicity and lyricism; she shares Morrison's uncanny ability to crystalize, in a single event, slavery's moral and emotional fallout. What is uniquely Gyasi's is her ability to connect it so explicitly to the present day: No novel has better illustrated the way in which racism became institutionalized in this country. * Vogue US *Homegoing is a remarkable feat - a novel at once epic and intimate, capturing the moral weight of history as it bears down on individual struggles, hopes and fears. A tremendous debut * Phil Klay, National Book Award-winning author of Redeployment *A marvellous novel * Starred Publishers Weekly *Rarely does a grand, sweeping epic plumb interior lives so thoroughly. Yaa Gyasi's Homegoing is a marvel. -- Dave Wheeler, associate editor, Shelf AwarenessHomegoing is an epic novel in every sense of the word - spanning three centuries, Homegoing is a sweeping account of two half-sisters in 18th-century Ghana and the lives of their many generations of descendants in America. A stunning, unforgettable account of family, history, and racism, Homegoing is an ambitious work that lives up to the hype. * Buzzfeed *One of the richest, most rewarding reads of 2016 * Elle *Gyasi echoes [James] Baldwin's understanding of a common culture marked by both yearning and pain, in which black people can confront each other across differences and reach a political understanding about what unites them. What distinguishes Gyasi's presentation of this idea is its scope: She does not present us with a single moment, but rather delivers a multigenerational saga in which two branches of a family, separated by slavery and time, emerge from the murk of history in a romantic embrace . . . . . Homegoing is a reminder of the tenacity of fathers and mothers who struggle to keep their kin alive. The novel succeeds when it retrieves individual lives from the oblivion mandated by racism and spins the story of the family's struggle to survive. * Bookforum *A memorable epic of changing families and changing nations * Chicago Tribune *Epic...astonishing...page-turning * Entertainment Weekly *Yaa Gyasi establishes herself as an exciting new literary voice with a powerful debut * BookPage *A hypnotic debut novel by... a stirringly gifted young writer * New York Times Book Review *Tremendous...spectacular...[Homegoing is] essential reading from a young writer whose stellar instincts, sturdy craftsmanship and penetrating wisdom seem likely to continue apace - much to our good fortune as readers * San Francisco Chronicle *[A] sprawling epic... brims with compassion... In Homegoing, Yaa Gyasi has given rare and heroic voice to the missing and suppressed * NPR *A bold tale of slavery for a new 'Roots' generation * Washington Post *Rich, epic. . . Each chapter is tightly plotted, and there are suspenseful, even spectacular climaxes * New York Magazine *Rarely does a grand, sweeping epic plumb interior lives so thoroughly. Yaa Gyasi's Homegoing is a marvel * Shelf Awareness *Terrific -- Ann PatchettSpectacular -- Taiye SelasiHomegoing is stunning - a truly heartbreaking work of literary genius * Bustle *This is, hand on heart, a completely brilliant novel...a brilliant debut. If this isn't shortlisted for some prizes next year, I'll be disappointed * Stylist's pick of the best new books for 2017 *Encompassing events major and minor, but skilfully skipping the civil war, it humanises big issues by giving us unforgettable characters. It could not be more relevant or needed -- Damian Barr * Observer Books of the Year *Gyasi imbues indigenous life with richness and dignity, in a style that owes something - though by no means everything - to Chinua Achebe...it serves as the engine for a powerful message * Daily Telegraph *A future classic and a novel that you'll want to pass on to everyone you know...the real deal...2017 is set to be the year of Homegoing * Stylist *While the issues she wrestles with are heavy, her writing is a joy....Now, more than ever, we need books like this one * Red *Hugely courageous and really important -- Sathnam SangheraHomegoing is remarkable...the writing at the end of the book is every bit as vital as that at the start...she has produced a contemporary classic - one you'll actually want to read * Daily Mail *An epic debut novel * Good Housekeeping *Intriguing debut...a noble enterprise -- Mail on SundayBrilliant * Sunday Telegraph *Vivid and ambitious debut * Sunday Express *Toni Morrison's Beloved spoke to a generation. Yaa Gyasi's Homegoing will do the same for a new one. In a word, it's brilliant. And not just "for a debut" * The Pool *The powerful narrative of Yaa Gyasi's accomplished first novel do more than reveal the history that still troubles the United States. They make that history immediate * Harper's Bazaar *A fascinating view of the history of slavery...Gyasi gives voice to suppressed stories, and that feels hugely important....it certainly deserves our attention * Sunday Times *A searing indictment of racism and a very impressive debut * Sunday Express *Ambitious, superbly written, important - don't miss this one * Woman & Home *It is written with such maturity and beauty, that it is hard to believe it is Gyasi's first published work...Gyasi has created a masterpiece which is educational, highly ambitious and extremely touching. Her writing style is raw and intense and leaves one desperate to see what work she will produce in the future * Press Association *Extraordinary * Glamour *The hype is justified * Emerald Street *This unputdownable tale spans three continents and seven generations to tell the story of a family and of America itself * Reader's Digest *A bold and ambitious debut...full of fire and youthful confidence * Daily Express *Here is a book to help us remember. It is well worth its weight * Guardian *Hands down the best book I've read in months...I can't wait to see what Yaa Gyasi does next * Grazia *Gyasi has created a masterpiece which is educational, highly ambitious and extremely touching * The i *Through her words we come to understand parts of history that are sometimes ignored * Pride *An epic saga * Scotsman *A wonderfully evocative and compassionate novel - one that shows deftness, depth and maturity. Homegoing is a gift to its readers and a treasure to cherish -- Petina Gappah * Financial Times *The structure is fantastically strong, but it would have been nothing without Gyasi's ability to bring each character alive. At every turn she resists cliché and dogma ... she deftly weaves in just enough historical information without sacrificing its complexity ... Homegoing has something better than perfection, and that is a touch of magic... [Gyasi is] the right artist at the right time -- Alice O'Keefe * New Statesman *Gyasi's debut novel has a distinctive strength and courage ... a descendent of Alex Haley's Roots and Toni Morrison's Beloved, an extended response to Joyce Carol Oates's Last Hundred Years trilogy * Times Literary Supplement *A confident, vivid, engrossingtale [that] winds towards a moving conclusion * Radio Times *Gyasi's widescreen view of history powerfully drives home her view that we are all responsible for ourselves and for each other ... a highly compassionate feat of storytelling * Metro *Entwining history, politics and personal events, this is an ambitious novel that is, and will continue to be, highly culturally relevant * Big Issue *Astoundingly ambitious * New Books *Ambition and talent don't always go hand-in-hand; here they unquestionably do * Daily Mail *Tracing the descendants of two women across seven generations, this unflinching debut from Ghanaian-American author Yaa Gyasi examines the lingering effects of slavery from the 18th-century Gold Coast to the US at the turn of the 21st century * Financial Times *Ambitious, multi-generational saga of the effects of the slave trade * Guardian Books of the Year *

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Book SynopsisThe international bestseller from the author of the Booker-shortlisted novel, 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World, The Forty Rules of Love is part of our Penguin Essentials series which spotlights the very best of our modern classics*One of the BBC''s ''100 Novels That Shaped the World''*Every true love and friendship is a story of unexpected transformation. If we are the same person before and after we loved, that means we haven''t loved enough...Ella Rubinstein has a husband, three teenage children, and a pleasant home. Everything that should make her confident and fulfilled. Yet there is an emptiness at the heart of Ella''s life - an emptiness once filled by love. So when Ella reads a manuscript about the thirteenth-century Sufi poet Rumi and his mentor Shams of Tabriz, and his forty rules of life and love, she is ready to look at her life anew. Compelled to embrace change, she embarks on a journey to meet the mysterious author. It is a quest infused with Sufi mysticism and verse, taking Ella and us into a faraway world where faith and doubt are heartbreakingly explored. The Forty Rules of Love is a mesmerising tale of discovery, language, truth and, of course, love itself.''The past and present fit together beautifully in a passionate defence of passion itself'' The Times''Colourfully woven and beguilingly intelligent'' Daily Telegraph*** ELIF SHAFAK''S NEW NOVEL, THERE ARE RIVERS IN THE SKY, IS AVAILABLE NOW ***Trade ReviewA gorgeous, jeweled, luxurious book * The Times *With its timely, thought-provoking message . . . The Forty Rules of Love deserves to be a global publishing phenomenon * Independent *Enlightening, enthralling. An affecting paean to faith and love * Metro *Colourfully woven and beguilingly intelligent * Daily Telegraph *The past and present fit together beautifully in a passionate defence of passion itself * The Times *

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Book SynopsisThe utterly heartbreaking and unforgettable instant New York Times bestseller and Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick.

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Book SynopsisIn AD 60, Boudica, war leader of the Eceni, led her people in a final bloody revolt against the occupying armies of Rome. It was the culmination of nearly twenty years of resistance against an occupying force that sought to crush a vibrant, complex civilization and replace it with the laws, taxes and slavery of the Roman Empire. Gloriously imagined, Boudica: Dreaming the Eagle recreates the beginnings of a story so powerful its impact has survived through the ages, recounting the journey to adulthood of Breaca, who at twelve kills her first warrior, and her sensitive, skilful half-brother Bán, who carries with him a vision of the future that haunts his waking hours. In the company of a supreme storyteller, the reader is plunged into the unforgettable world of tribal Britain in the years before the Romans came: a twilight world of Dreamers and the magic of the gods; a world where horses and dogs and the landscape itself become characters in their own right; where warriTrade ReviewManda Scott has created a fictional universe all her own, but close enough to our reality for it both to warm and break our hearts. Breathtakingly good, it reveals the best and worst in all of us -- Val McDermidThe best in the current crop of novels about Rome, its empire and its victims ... never sentimental and always tough-minded -- Roz Kaveney * Independent *Every so often, a book comes along that totally remoulds a historical figure for our own times ... massively impressive -- Jane Jakeman * Scotland on Sunday *A powerful novel, alive with the love, deceit, wisdom and the heroics of humanity -- Jean M. AuelAn extraordinary work ... exciting and intriguing, taking you into a world where unbelievable danger and cruelty sit side by side with magic, spirituality and profound human relationships -- Jenni Murray

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Book SynopsisTHE EPIC HISTORICAL NOVEL FROM BESTSELLING AUTHOR CONN IGGULDEN - FANS OF GAME OF THRONES AND WOLF HALL WILL BE HOOKED''Superbly plotted and paced'' THE TIMES________Winter 1461. Richard Duke of York is dead, his ambitions in ruins, his head spiked on the walls of the city.King Henry VI is still held prisoner. His Lancastrian Queen rides south with an army of victorious northerners, accompanied by painted warriors from the Scottish Highlands.With the death of York, Margaret and her army seem unstoppable.Yet in killing the father, Margaret has unleashed the sons.Edward of March, now Duke of York, proclaims himself England''s rightful king.Through blood and treason, through broken men and vengeful women, brother shall confront brother, king shall face king.Two men can always claim a crown. But only one can keep it . . .________PTrade ReviewOne of our finest historical novelists has produced another impressively researched, cleverly plotted and gripping take on the Wars of the Roses * Daily Express *Iggulden is in a class of his own when it comes to epic, historical fiction * Daily Mirror *Superbly plotted and paced * The Times *Breathes new life into the darkest and most dramatic of times, with a flair for both the huge scale and human interest of it all * Star *Exceptionally well-written and gripping * Stylist *Compelling * Woman and Home *A page-turning thriller * Mail on Sunday *Pacey and juicy, and packed with action * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisAnna Jacobs was born in Lancashire at the beginning of the Second World War. She has lived in different parts of England as well as Australia and has enjoyed setting her modern and historical novels in both countries. She is addicted to telling stories and recently celebrated the publication of her one hundredth novel, as well as sixty years of marriage. Anna has sold over four million copies of her books to date.

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Book SynopsisDiscover Mann's Nobel Prizewinning semi-autobiographical and sweeping family epic.The Buddenbrook clan is everything you'd expect of a nineteenth-century German merchant family - wealthy, esteemed, established.Trade ReviewPerhaps the first great novel of the 20th century * New York Times *A simple but magnificent proof of genius. A first novel by a 25-year-old with absolute command of his craft, uncanny knowledge of his world, its past and present, and a daring originality which makes its last pages among the most startlingly moving I know -- Alan Hollinghurst * New York Times *One of the best novels of the 20th century * Guardian *That definitive epic of German family life * Irish Times *His masterpiece * Los Angeles Times *

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Book SynopsisFrom the New York Times bestselling author Lisa Kleypas comes Secrets of a Summer Night, the first title in the beloved romance series The Wallflowers - perfect for fans of Sarah MacLean, Julia Quinn and Eloisa James. ''Kleypas can make you laugh and cry - on the same page'' Julia Quinn, Sunday Times bestselling author of the Bridgerton series The Wallflowers: four young ladies at the side of the ballroom make a pact to help each other find husbands . . . no matter what it takesProud and beautiful Annabelle Peyton could have her pick of suitors - if only she had a dowry. Her family is on the brink of disaster, and the only way Annabelle can save them is to marry a very wealthy man. Unfortunately, her most persistent admirer is the brash Simon Hunt, a handsome and ambitious entrepreneur who wants her as his mistress.Annabelle is determined to resist Simon''s wicked propositions, but

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Book Synopsis''Make no mistake, there is magic at work'' Elizabeth Buchan, Sunday Times''Oh, the bliss ... Maeve''s back, on top form ... The heart is the theme, literally and metaphorically, and this is heartwarming stuff'' The TimesClara Casey has more than enough on her plate: two difficult daughters, a demanding new job running a heart clinic and an ex-husband who wants something from her . . . For Ania, meeting Clara is a miracle. She never intended to leave Poland - but perhaps a new country will mend her broken heart? Then there''s Father Flynn, whose life is turned upside down when his reputation is threatened; and the beautiful, troubled nurse, Fiona, who can''t leave the secrets of her past behind . . .Trade ReviewMaeve Binchy's latest novel is packed as usual with wonderful characters ... Full of warmth, caring and commonsense. * CHOICE *She knows how to fashion a minor drama into a crisis, and book rattles along from one gripping story to another, leaving the reader with a satisfying glow ... It does exactly what it says on the tin: gives and heart and soul. * DAILY MAIL *Oh, the bliss ... Maeve's back, on top form ... The heart is the theme, literally and metaphorically, and this is heartwarming stuff - sweet but never cloying. * THE TIMES *Maeve Binchy's comfy prose is as warming as cocoa. * METRO *To read it is like being wrapped up in pink blanket with a hot-water bottle - but, make no mistake, there is magic at work. -- Elizabeth Buchan * SUNDAY TIMES *HEART AND SOUL is another instant classic, infused with Maeve's trademark warmth, charm and compassion. ... she is the Queen of Fiction and one of the funniest and and best-loved storytellers in the world. ... once you read Maeve you are hooked for life. * IRISH TIMES *Maeve Binchy is a master storyteller * NEW YORK TIMES *Warm, witty and with a deep understanding of what makes us tick, it's little wonder that Maeve Binchy's bewitching stories have become world-beaters * OK MAGAZINE *

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